I grew up with a very strong mother. She currently runs an International Manufacturing Company in South Africa. We export brick-making machinery & equipment all over the world. She always taught me to stand up for what I believed in and, more importantly, in what I believed was the right thing.

When Oscar shot Reeva in the highly-publicized case (I’m sure you heard of it), I took it on as a personal plight to educate myself more on women’s rights + the statistics surrounding it, and get even more involved.

It’s why I took on an active role in pioneering the Social Media Campaign for Brooklyn Fashion Week’s ‘Denim Day’ Walk last year to spread awareness of Sexual Harassment + do a passive protest. Read the posts below:

1. What Exactly Is Denim Day & Why Should We Care?
2. My Model Shoot For Sexual Harassment Awareness Month
3. My African In New York Model Shoot with African fashion designer Abou Gangue
4. Photos From The Denim Day Walk in New York

It’s also why I accompanied my dear friend Lindsay Ziehl to Buckingham Palace in London last year to receive her MBE for her work fighting Domestic Violence in South Africa. Read the article here. If you’re interested, read my article on Domestic Violence Statistics in South Africa.

But supporting our fellow females should take on importance in our personal relationships also.

The power that lies in the spirit of uniting with other women should extend to our personal lives too.

I enjoy the successful female role models around me. Somehow, I always find myself drawn to female creatives. I find fashion designers, photographers + business owners especially admirable. I always try support in every way I can – especially by celebrating their strengths + finding ways to collaborate.

On this note, above is an article of me published in an International Film Compendium by The American Film Market, which I am so proud of! It also moves me to see the incredible achievements of other women featured in the magazine from all over the world. Another great publication like this, more accessible, is a magazine called “Where Women Create”, subscribe to this.

Some people I’ve supported in the past

If you like design, you might also find Cape Town fashion designer Benita Allen’s ‘Chica Loca’ range that I modeled very beautiful.

Want more? Watch the video profile I produced of another Cape Town fashion designer, Ferial Johannes, who dressed me when I did loads of hosting work in Cape Town and who designed the dress I wore to Buckingham Palace!

Looking for a photographer in South Africa? I got my headshot done with a female Cape Town photographer Talitha Snow, and have done incredible work with another Port Elizabeth/Cape Town photographer Sarah Keogh, where together we have shot loads of projects + even landed the cover of a South African Magazine.

When it comes to charities, I’ve always supported 2 hard-working social workers in Cape Town who run an organization called “Little Fighters Cancer Trust” – caring for children in South Africa with Cancer – and have done my level best to represent their cause where I can. (If you would like to donate, get in touch with me here. They could use all the help they can get!) $10 would go a LONG way. I also help my domestic worker back in South Africa as much as I can – a single women raising 7 children on her own.

As you go out into your week, I’m asking you to stand together with your fellow women. In the world at large, read about causes that are close to you and make it your mission to change the narrative. In your personal life, harness the power you have together. It’s amazing how healing it feels to look for the strengths in each other + use them in collaboration to make real progress.

Make a real difference in your relationships + in your world, and remember to “be the change you want to see in the world”.
Here’s to you, ladies!